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Chevrolet Inline Six-Cylinder Power Manual

2nd Edition [Paperback]

Leo Santucci (Author)

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Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: California Bill'S Automotive Handbooks; 2 edition (April 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1931128278
ISBN-13: 978-1931128278


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I was piddlin' around online and noticed there is a new 2nd edition of this book, it came out back in April of 2011.

I was wondering if anyone in here has seen it, flipped through it or read it?

Just curious.

-W


p.s. remember, we have a nice list of Publications, Books, Magazines here at the 'Bolt.

W,

Good question. The first edition mostly covered 230/250/292 I6 engines. The promotonal blurb on this editon shows:

Covering Chevrolet's inline 6-cylinder powerplant from its development back in the late 1920s to the Vortec engine of today, this book includes the 194, 216, 230, 235, 250, 258, 261, 292, and 301 passenger car and truck engines.

Still, your question is pertinent for 216/235/261 owners. Maybe someone who bought or who has thumbed through the new edition will post information.

It still covers later model L6 as before, but with added information and the inclusion of many Inliners own builds.

I bought it because I want a hot 292 someday. I haven't read the first edition but I understood it to be an updated version of the first. It covers L6 history and talks about the 216 235 in the beginning but doesn't cover any of the internals. A lot of the parts are similar though so using your head you can apply some of the techniques.

Good reference, I'm happy with the purchase.

A lot of the parts are similar

Very few, the engines aren't related.

There isn't too much similarity between the two engine families at all except that to the untrained eye they are both upright six inline engines. None of the internals are the same and come to think of it the externals are all different too; blocks, heads, ignition, water pumps, etc all different as are cams, pistons, cranks, rods, and dimensions and more.

So to say there are similarities is a stretch to me at least. If there is nothing really new in the 2nd edition I see little reason to buy one. So we are still where we always were, relying on 50's information. Too bad Mr. Santucci didn't include the older series of engines as it would be good to have another place to go to get up tp date expert opinions from someone of his credentials. Not having it will insure the longevity of The StoveBolt Page and our own experts so we can be happy about that.

I am constantly amazed at the bredth and depth of the knowledge and experience on this site. And for my part I say a hearty Thanks to all who contribute so much.

Basically the same as the first version with a couple small additions (dimensioned head bolt hole lay out, it mentions the Atlas 4200 very briefly), and a couple of write ups on some of the more extreme cars. Lots more info on Duggan parts.

I'm suprised that there is no 292 crank into 250 block info, my machinist built a bunch of these in the 90's for circle track cars. No mention of 307 piston swap for 250's, and speed pro vs. sealed power pistons. Hybrid head info seems a bit dated (why not use 305 Vortecs for a low-RPM power boost on a 250? How about LS heads?). In short, it's got some basic info that is real helpful to a novice like me, but the premise of the book is race type motors (Duggan block and head? Aluminum rods?). I'm all good with using a Fluidamper, but will the stock pulleys fit? Probably not an issue on an electric water pump filled block 292, but of great interest to my A/C equipped pickup.

I think Tlowe's dyno work is probably more useful to the owners of the smaller engines. Even that's mostly beyond my driving RPM (if I hit 5000 RPM then it must be stuck in neutral).

Anyway I don't consider it a bad birthday gift, but it didn't have any stunning revelations that the first edition didn cover. My summary - If you know nothing it's a good primer. If you want to build a high-performance high-buck 292 it's a good book to have. If you/re working on your 3rd 292 powered drag car you're probably beyond it. If you understand the basics and want to build a 250 to a little bit warmer than stock, but still get good mileage, or any 194/292, pickings are slim, and you have to read between the lines a bit. My opinion, for what it's worth.

By no means did I mean to mislead anyone about what the book covers. It certainly does not cover any pre 1963 engines. What I meant by the above statement is that you can use some of the techniques on some parts that are similar in design (but not necessarily the same). For example the airflow into and out of the engine is similar. The same problems with siamese ports exist, using my imagination I can apply the techniques in the book to a 235 head. Same goes for removal installation of cam and crank gears, compression ratios, offset crank grinds, cam timing etc. I haven't done it yet but I bet if I called some of the listed 292 cam manufactures listed they either have or can easily make a performance cam for the 235. Without the book I wouldn't have known where to start (besides here at the 'bolt of course!).

Info on performance tips for the 235 are hard to find, the book and my imagination can get me part way there. The rest I can hopefully glean from you fine folks here at the 'bolt and my friendly machine shop.

Hope that clarifies.